Can I start by saying...Chicago has its own charm. I was captivated by the the attractions for all walks of life, families, singles, couples and the seasoned in life. I had gone there to visit family, and every time I saw family or friends I'd rave about the city so much that I'd convince them to visit. I found that its great places to stay, and went around the city had the best vacation imaginable.The captivating people and stories behind so many Chicago Attractions, the restaurants, the nightlife, and amazing shopping spots all over the city drew me in like a magnet, so when people visited I became their tour guide for their Chicago vacation. Well, atleast I wish I could be one.. wink. My cuzins live there and it made it all the more fun! I loved the city and could never quite get enough. Seeing my cousins after such a long time, made the holiday even more special....We spent the day on foot as parking can be a challenge..Oh, I didnt mind, just was too busy enjoying the surrounding sceneries of the place. We dined in some of best bistros, met ppl, saw the Skyscrapers When completed as the Sears Tower in 1973 it surpassed One World Trade Center in New York City. It completed earlier that year as the World’s Tallest Building. The cruise ride across Chicago tribune took us through the highest skyscrapers in the city and made us feel absolutely at home. So if you want the most exciting vacation of your life...Set aside to do lists, crazy work and social schedules, family commitments, or school, you have to step away from everything screaming for your attention and escape with me to one of the most thrilling, and friendly big cities!

I've worked really hard, with tough people and it taught me that even at times when I wanted to give up I had to learn to be grateful to god. Everything changed at age of 16 for me, when watched an African child, having nothing to eat was dying and nearby a vulture was waiting for it to die... It tore me apart that their are parts of the world today where people don't have food to eat and not even a place to sleep. It changed my life. This one photo did that to me. Next time you feel life is unfair remember this photo. They are kids who are dying and have no food. We should be lucky for whatever we have :)

That's Gratitude.

Once you are grateful you will make way for bigger things.

I have always seen that the more we complain and focus on the negative, the more you will attract that. Now you can see how do i look at the positive. Trust me we all have those tough moments and it can last for moments, few months or even years. I have gone through those phases too. People often times think I am that happy go lucky. Not always. You need to focus on the things that are calling your most attention. Build your energy and channelize it. Which means, stop wasting time focusing on the things that are not working. Keep your mind busy. It can be a hobby, a job, your family. Whatever you choose make sure its creating the positive source that you need. The more you cultivate this habit you will see my mind shift and the habit to complain, worry or whatever type of reaction that you were used to doing will just shift.

People who have the ability to be calm fascinate me. Irrespective of what the situation. I know some people in my lfie who can handle anything and not react. Reacting was my middle name. I mean if I didnt get the last word it would mean that I am the problem. It will lead to me being the person who needs to be focused on. if i had all the answers then i would look smarter. WRONG. You actually look obnoxious who isnt mature and cant handle the ability to listen to someone else's view. All issues really. So i started to listen. To the calm people. Buddha, Dalai Lama, Oprah, all positive figures to people in my life as well. It started shifting my paradigm and i realised if they can achieve this why cant I. Got more spiritual, reading more books. Got more interest and more focused.

This image really broke my heart. We live in our own bubble of a life and wonder if we need more, want more and then this image brings it all back to me. A dying child and a vulture waiting for the child to die. The anguish and pain that the mother would feel to be so helpless to see their child die, or the state of affairs that war and famine bring. The day mankind starts spending time helping other people is when we will learn to make this world a better place. Spending time doing the right things is probably the most important thing. I feel that is what we miss out on the most. As i leave this post, when things get hard for you remember this image of this child and be grateful for what you have, its the most important thing and yet we forget about it all the time. Praying for all children and helpless lives that have nothing or struggle to make ends meet. Pray for them and send them some love.

I was so psyched to be featured onStyle Queen blog.Approached for an interview is always a nice way to interact with other bloggers and get their perspective which is always helpful. I had lots of fun chatting up with Jenna from Style queen. Thanks again sweetie.We had an interview about me and highlighting my interests.

Thanks so much for featuring my blog, it means the world! You can catch the glimpse of the interview here.

Weekend was a funtime to spend in downtown, after lovely lunch. Its like any other modern city, tall buildings, amazing highways, totally takes you on a great ride of sorts. Streets more or less always seem empty, its the kinda place you wanna settle when your kids go off to college and you want to relax. You go around the city and spend time with loved ones, totally a contrast to Glitz, glamour and life of NYC or even Chicago :) But Dallas is has its own style and grace of its own. Sharing all the adventures I have seen ;) Man, its been a huge ride and to meet a lot of amazing friends we made there and at the sametime. To be able to experience all the cultures and adventures!! So here goes my attempt to doing juss that. Business trip in 2009 was my intial reason to land in US and along with some personal travel to is how this started. I totally didn't expect that trip suddenly to happen and after that to move to Dallas. But I like sweet surprises. I had to travel to Central America as well! Tat totally rocked. To see the beauty that I've heard of that region.

Dallas has its own charm. Since my hubby has been living here for over 8 years and he loves being here. It definitely is home away from home. We have our friends and its been really fun for me to be able to explore this new city for me. Its a huge change to be away from my family and friends back home, but when you start a new life you make the most of the moments and have a great memories to create with your partner. There is a lotta adventures ahead and I look forward to them. We also have some travel plans already! and that too to my favorite destinations in Europe! I cant wait for that experience too! European history and the beauty of their countries something I cant wait to see! Have a great weekend lovelies!

One of the amazing blogsSimply Luxurious written by Shannon Albes. She really has an art of expressing the written language in the really beautiful way. She covers all aspects from Fashion to how to manage your finances! Today, I expressed to her I would be featuring her as a Guest Blog on my site and she responded, 'What a lovely compliment, thank you so much' Well Shannon, your very welcome and thanks so much for being part of my blog. I feel really honored to highlight such a talented writer. I'm featuring one of the powerful blogs that really touched my heart, as it had to do with Oprah...Read on

In a custom L’Wren Scott coral silk dress with degrade chiffon belt, Oprah Winfrey walked onto the stage of The Oprah Winfrey Show for the last time. The guest, the best guest, the only guest that was necessary, was Oprah herself. Introducing the last hour as her love letter to her viewers. Oprah spoke of the many lessons she had learned, and so I’ve collected a few of them here as I had to write them down for myself, and wanted to share with you as well. While I thoroughly enjoyed the show, my favorite part was the last shot, as she finished the long walk through her Harpo staff and was greeted in the front of her office by Sadie, her blonde cocker spaniel, as we watch Oprah with Sadie in her arms saying, “We did it Sadie. We did it.” Someone who always listened to her calling, who is and was strong enough to be who she knew she could be and will always be an inspiration to the world. Here’s to living our best life. Thank you Oprah for reminding us that we can.

AMAZING QUOTES

“Be more of yourself.”

“We are all called. Everyone has a calling. And your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it.”

“That is what a calling is. It lights you up and lets you know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. And that is what I want for all of you.”

“Live from the heart of yourself.”

“You have to make a living, I understand that, but you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.”

“Start embracing the life that is calling you and use your life to serve the world.”

“Nobody but you is responsible for your life.”

“Don’t wait for somebody else to fix you, to save you or to complete you.”

“We often block our own blessings because we don’t believe we are inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough.”

“You are worthy because you are born and because you are here. Your being here, your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough.”

“Everybody wants to be validated.”

“Be still and know it.”

“Wait and listen for the guidance that is greater than my meager mind. The only time I have ever made mistakes was when I didn’t listen.”

“What are the whispers in your life? Your life is speaking to you. What is it saying?”

You know everyone in their lifetime has their angels. Someone special who has changed the way they look at life and how they appreciate what they have in real time and make the best of what they have. Such inspiration I get from my real life angel, Christina Raj. Tina, as shes better known is one of themost caring peopleI've ever seen. She has thisunique abilityto cheer me up whenever Im low and make me laff nonstop with our silliest conversations. I remember we were sitting at work and then there was a very serious meeting going on and we were sitting across eachother but I was getting bored out of my mind coz it was really long meeting. And suddenly we looked acorss eachother chatting on the laptop and I almost wanted to burst out laughing and I kept pulling her leg in the chat and she was literally turning red becoz I wouldnt stop. It still remains one of the most hilarious composed laughing and losing it sessions we have ever had!

She has a smile that radiates and a laff that makes you want to spend hours with her. We know eachother for over 5 years now and inspite of us living on different continents its made me very happy to say that shes by far the sweetest most kind person. Im dedicating this blog post to the fantastic person Tina! I want you to know that you mean the world to me and thanks for being such a sweet and loving person. You are a prized possession for me and Im soooooooooooo glad that we are such great friends!!! Anytime I talk to her I feel so light and easy and its like speaking to my own self in many ways. We are so similar and shes such a gentle soul that it makes you feel really nice about yourself. Very few people can be as loyal as wonderful as her! Shes just super special and I wanna always feel that shes super special!

When I landed there again another cuzin of mine stays there...Yah i know, you must be wondering I have a huge family well you would be right! They are spread across Europe and US...hehe.. I guess travelling becomes more fun coz you feel you have a part of home with you. Landing in SFO it was hectic travelling, I had arrived from NYC but was looking forward to spending some time with my cuzin and my neice! It was over a year I got to see them and I was super excited! My cuzin from India was travelling with me to SFO as well...so we ended up becoming a huge gang! I think there are lotta unique features of SFO, esp the long winding roads and the houses constructed on these high slopes so your car looks like your falling! Haha...but you just have to feel it to believe it. We went on this winding up and down roads, and zipping on it! Wow..what a rush!

One of the most breath-taking view was the Golden gate. Oh gosh, what a view. We reached the location, parked our car and did a lil trek up this hill to get the most spectacular view of the Golden gate at nite! It looked like a line of stars, and we just watched what felt like hours! It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip! SFO attractions include its wonderful sunny climate, its gung-ho populace and beautiful sights. If you want to do San Francisco sightseeing, you can be sure that you’ll have a great time.There are of course lots of things to do in San Francisco. Golden Gate Bridge, the Old Faithful Geyser of California, Chinatown and the cable cars are top of the list when it comes to San Francisco sightseeing. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you can go sailing, biking, kayaking, trekking or even hot air ballooning. San Francisco also offers lots of partying opportunities with its nightclubs, lounges and bars. It’s great place for a fantastic holiday..